Curiosities

Special Ephemeral item – The Wattle Grove Press – Newnham Tasmania – Promotional Item – 1960’s

The Wattle Grove Press at 69 George Town, Newnham, Tasmania published the books of Albin Eiger is limited edition.

Albin Eiger was the pen name of Professor Rolf Hennequel (1895-1971) who travelled the world before settling in Tasmania in 1951. The press commenced in the early 1960’s before illness forced its closure in 1969.

The works were so beautiful printed on rich hand-made paper with bold typescript, limitations varied but were extremely tight, sometimes a maximum of fifty.

This document is printed on the thickest of hand-made paper – has a vellum like feel. Large format 34 cm by 22 cm, printed only three pages printed one side only, folded.

It ends with and interesting note … “All books from our Press are printed, illustrated and bound by hand, and exhibit the advantages and, also disadvantages – which work of this kind is thought to possess in the machine age”.

And then references the Library National of France who have clearly taken a liking “the books of the W.G.P. are unique pieces of literature, and unique attempts at printing”

See our copy of “Paris” from the Wattle Grove Press.

Rare Tasmanian Private Press Ephemera – the Wattle Grove Press

$40.00

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The Trials of Oz – Tony Palmer – with Felix Dennis Bookplate – 40th Anniversary Edition

This book carries the bookplate of Felix Dennis (1947-2014) with the pencil note likely by Dennis xi ii which presumably means February 2011.

Felix Dennis was one of three charged and found initially guilty in the famous “Schoolkids Oz” obscenity trial in London. Dennis received a lesser sentence because he was considered less intelligent than the others.

Published by Gonza Multimedia in 2011, softcover 312 pages, many illustrations including the somewhat offensive which formed part of the trial. The book is a great read especially for those the like the machinations of a good court drama. Verbatim mixed with other narrative about the lead up, police, judiciary etc. Political influence is said to have been involved in getting to the lads sentences rescinded – the Judge met then secretly and got their commitment not to be “so naughty”.

For the dumb one Dennis did very well and went on to build a magazine and media empires worth several hundred million quid, bought David Bowie’s West indies paradise, set up the biggest tree planting charity in England etc etc – quit a chap – look him up.

OZ Trial – for provenance couldn’t be beaten

PS If your protective of Rupert the Bear this is not the book fro you …

$120.00

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Mining by W.D. & H.O. Wills – hard to find complete set of 50 cards circa 1912 issued by Wills of Bristol and London.

Very good condition, now protected in standard card wallets.

Seven cards represent Coal Mining featuring Miner Holing; Miner Drilling and Blasting; Electric Coal Cutters; Electric Train; Taking Coal to Pit Mouth by Pony; At the Bottom of the Shaft; Sorting and Cleaning Coal and the all important Mine Surveyor.

Cards specific to Australia include B.H.P. Silver Mine Mechanical Feed and a General View of the Mine … Mount Morgan Gold (with it interesting story) anD Digging and Washing Sapphires in Queensland.

The rest Of the world is represented including Asbestos at Thetford Canada; China Clay at St Austell Cornwall; Copper at the famous Rio Tinto Mine Spain; Diamonds at Kimberley; Tin at Perak Malaya; Turquoises from Nishapour, Persia; Rock salt in Cheshire; Rubies from Burma etc etc

Large 50 card Mining set over 100 years old.

$120.00

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Vacuum Pump with Dome – Griffin and Tatlock c 1930 – Super Example

A very good working example of a vacuum hand pump, complete with glass dome from notable maker Griffin and Tatlock [a design by John Griffin]

Nice oak handle, the brass pump body retains its original lacquer, valve moves freely and pumps seals nicely. The glass dome with bell top handle is ground for contact with the pump base plate [in operation this would be grease/ vaseline sealed. There is a small chip to the inside rim but not impinging on the “sealability” of the instrument.

Carries the Griffin and Tatlock branding plaque. We can date this to around 1930 as John Griffin and sons merged with the distinguished Scottish form Baird and Tatlock circa 1925.

Dimensions approx. – 40 cm long 30 cm high and 18 cm wide. Not really suitable for overseas and will require a postage supplement dependent on buyer location.

Rare complete and working a genuine sucker.

$440.00

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Antique Microscope Slide – Exhibition Standard – Arranged Diatoms with Spicules of Syncyota Holothuriale [Sea Cucumber] – W. A Firth – c1890.

A circle arrangement of numerous diatom types along with spicules from the cucumber – these spicules forming part of the sea cucumber’s skeletal structure.

William Allott Firth [1853-1923] was a professional mounter specialising is diatoms. Born in Barnsley, England he moved as a child with his family to Belfast where he remained for the rest of his life. His slides are regarded as of the highest quality, and this is an unusual example. His name label is supported by his characteristic handwriting which never varied.

The slide is difficult to precisely date partly because of the consistency of Firth’s handwriting noted above. The labelling arrangement is identical with Bracegirdle’s example Plat 17/K but no date is given. Bracegirdle does show a slide dated 1877 but we think this one is later – probably circa 1890. The pricing noted is a later reseller.

Good condition given age albeit crack across cover slip not affecting the view.

Complex arrangement of diatom types and spicules by expert Firth.

$120.00

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Antarctic Lantern Slide – Scott’s Southern Party about to Depart – 2nd November 1902 – Newton & Co

An original magic lantern slide of an important moment during Scott’s “Discovery” Expedition, by Newton & Co, London

The British National Antarctic Expedition also known as the “Discovery” Expedition, after their boat was carried out 1901-1904.

Scott chose the popular Shackleton and his trusted buddy Wilson to form, with him, the three-man party to push as far south as possible. It was not an attempt at the South Pole. They mostly achieved their goal reaching 82 degrees south, further than the previous Borchgrevink achievement.

The adventure did not run smoothly. They took many dogs with them and lost 22 from tainted food and other difficulties. Shackleton broke down and became a burden [something Shackleton later watered down – the recording of his difficulties in both Scott and Wilson’s diaries was the start probably of ill-founded views that Scott took a dislike to Shackleton, partly because of the latter’s popularity among the men]. On return to camp Scott had Shackleton sent away on the support ship “Morning” to recover.

Newton & Co can be traced back to 1704 – started by a J. Newton who was related to the big man himself Isaac Newton who was not knighted until the following year 1705.

Standard size circa 3.5 inches or 8 cm by 8 cm.

A period memento of a key moment in Polar exploration.

$140.00

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Special Ephemeral item – The Wattle Grove Press – Newnham Tasmania – Promotional Item – 1960’s

The Trials of Oz – Tony Palmer – with Felix Dennis Bookplate – 40th Anniversary Edition

Mining by W.D. & H.O. Wills – hard to find complete set of 50 cards circa 1912 issued by Wills of Bristol and London.

Vacuum Pump with Dome – Griffin and Tatlock c 1930 – Super Example

Antique Microscope Slide – Exhibition Standard – Arranged Diatoms with Spicules of Syncyota Holothuriale [Sea Cucumber] – W. A Firth – c1890.

Antarctic Lantern Slide – Scott’s Southern Party about to Depart – 2nd November 1902 – Newton & Co

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